On a family vacation to the Lake Tahoe Basin in Nevada and California, I was fortunate enough to Activate 4 peaks in 3 days. This is a description of the Mount Watson Activation, number 2 in the series. On this Activation I had the pleasure of meeting up with a "local" Activator from Reno, Nevada, K1LB - "Woody" Brown, so that we could do a joint Activation of Watson.
Maury Island was recently added to the SOTA database so I was super excited to do this activation with my wife, even though it was only a one pointer. The island is accessible from Vashon Island, which is a ferry boat ride from West Seattle or Tacoma. One could easily get on the ferry boat with their bicycle and bike to this summit.
(2 miles, +1,400 ft)
Edith & Baldy are the two most prominent summits in the Big Belt Mountains west of Townsend. There are some backcountry lakes north of the summits that are nice camping/fishing destinations. The two summits can be done as a double, but Baldy is probably easier from Duck Creek Pass to the north. The ridge between the two includes some boulder fields that, while not too difficult, make the traverse somewhat slow.
Take Hwy-12 West from Townsend for 14.8 miles
2.9 miles, +1,500 ft, -260 ft (From Trilobite Lakes); 21.4 mile approach from Silvertip TH via Switchback Pass
2.2 miles, +1,180 ft, -380 ft (From Dean Lake); 16.9 mile approach from Silvertip TH
0.5 miles, +580 ft (From Switchback Pass); 15.4 mile approach from Silvertip TH
Kevan Mountain is located on the Continental Divide and forms the northern bulwark of the North Wall in center of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. There is good camping at the Pentagon guard station, Dean Lake, Lake Levale, and in the valley to the north of Dean Lake.
1.7 miles, +1,260 ft, -160 ft (From Lake Levale); 18.8 mile approach from Silvertip TH
After going "0-for-Powers" last week, I decided to lick my wounds with an easier activation. Shamelessly, I cribbed from the recent visit by Phil, NS7P, to Roman Nose Mountain.
Roman Nose is almost TOO easy. One can drive all but the last half-mile or so. I parked another 1/2 mile before the locked gate, to ease my conscience. (There's no specific distance of hike required. Personally, I aim for at least a mile or so. If you're young and vigorous, you might want to be tougher on yourself).